Burnley want Sepp van den Berg in a move that would surely leave Preston fans absolutely gutted this summer.
Van den Berg first joined North End back in February 2021 as part of Liverpool’s move to sign Ben Davies.
The Dutchman was sent to Deepdale for first-team experience and few could have really expected him to become such a fan favourite.
Yet after agreeing to stay for the 2021-22 season as well, Van den Berg captured the hearts of North End supporters.
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An outstanding right-sided centre back and even capable as a wing back, Van den Berg showed his pace, ability on the ball and passion for the cause even as a loanee.
Burnley want Sepp van den Berg
Van den Berg returned to Liverpool this summer and admitted that his time at Preston was sadly over.
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Pre-season minutes have been hard to come by for Van den Berg, with a Liverpool breakthrough still looking unlikely.
Reports last week suggested that Bournemouth are interested in Van den Berg but two more clubs have joined the race.
Journalist Alan Nixon reports that Basel and Burnley have both registered their interest in signing Van den Berg this summer.
Basel want to give the 20-year-old a taste of European action; they finished second in the Swiss Super League last season, meaning they have Europa Conference League football.
That may well appeal to Liverpool and Van den Berg, representing something new after shining in the Championship for 18 months.
A move to Burnley would feel like more of the same; yes, the Clarets are better than North End right now but what more does Van den Berg have to prove in the second tier?
Seeing Van den Berg in Burnley’s claret and blue would really hurt Preston fans after their relationship with the defender last season, and we can only hope that Liverpool send him elsewhere.